Earth Day and its relation to the Air Force mission Published April 19, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron supported Earth Day on April 20 at the River Bend Nature Center, passing out Earth Day-related items. The Air Force-wide celebration of Earth Day was held April 22. Leslie Pena, 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron and DS2 Earth Day point of contact, saw the event as a part of the bigger effort to help make the Air Force more environmentally responsible. "Since all Air Force bases use green products, we build a market for it," Pena said. "It's going to help keep our Earth healthy and safe for future use." Pena looks at events like this as an opportunity to educate a diverse audience. The bigger theme of Earth Day is important throughout the Air Force, with energy management being a main Air Force objective. This year, the energy management plan was updated to reflect the changing nature of those very needs in the U.S. Air Force Energy Strategic Plan. "The Air Force is integrating energy considerations across the Air Force enterprise by focusing on four priorities: Improve Resiliency, Reduce Demand, Assure Supply, and Foster an Energy Aware Culture. These priorities provide the overarching framework through which the Air Force will address every dimension of the energy challenges we face, from security to supply and demand, as well as fostering a culture that values energy as a strategic resource. Our approach to energy also includes reducing our consumption of water, as the two are inextricably tied. Virtually every source of electricity--whether from coal, natural gas, nuclear, biofuels, or even concentrated solar--requires water in some manner, including for production, mining, and generation. By reducing the Air Force's demand for energy, it is also reducing the demand for water." (passages from the U.S Air Force Energy Strategic Plan) So in support of Earth Day, conserve energy and remember it's relation to the mission.